> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 11:50:00 -0800 (PST)
> From: "Marcos H. Woehrmann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: re: Image stabilizer [v04.n195/24] [v04.n197/8]
>
> A very quick search of www.patents.ibm.com turned up some interesting
> information.
>
> It does appear that Nikon is working on Image Stabilization. They've
> been issued a lot of patents in the last few months that cover this
> area, for example:
>
> US5854947: Vibration reducing apparatus
> US5825546: "Macro" Photographic lens having long focal length and vibration
> compensation
>
That 2nd one is interesting.
End of last year I went to a Canon event where they had the new
toys: EOS 3, 35/1.4 and the 100-400/4.5-5.6 "IS". The rep said
they had plenty more "IS" coming out in '99. I asked if he could
elaborate, and of course he couldn't. But he said, "personally,
I'd like to see a macro lens with IS."
Maybe he'll switch to Nikon ;)
So, I don't know if that was a veiled hint at what he knew, or if
he was just merely/truly wishing.
Back to Nikon, let's not forget that Nikon *DID* make a P&S camera
a number of years ago with image stabilization technology -- and
they even used the name "Vibration Reduction." It was the "VR 105"
I believe (the lens was a zoom out to 105mm).
Why VR never found its way into our SLRs would be an interesting
story, I'm sure.
Regards,
Chris
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